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Do you think you practice enough?

#63
No. But there are some minimal requirements I aim for that I found to be very effective:
1) to practice every day (if only for 10 mins), but really every day, something.
2) only focused playing counts as practice. To me it means connecting with the instrument 100% (which is a great practice in itself.) . for example, i play just one note and listen to it. Then play the same note again and listen again. Repeat
3) Connecting is what makes practice fun, as it makes me forget time, how much I spend of it when I am practicing

Generally i try to take an hour before I go to work. House is still quiet, mind is still fresh.
 
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#64
A friend wrote this book: First, Learn To Practice. I find it helpful. It's even been endorsed by a guy with letters after his name:

It is structured in a way that the novice musician who is serious about learning to play can make substantial progress and enjoy the art of practicing while engaged in making music. This very basic text is a must have for all music makers who want to build their mental and physical attitudes toward great practice sessions." Dr. Willie Hill, Director of the Fine Arts Center, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
 
#66
Theozzycometh said:
My theory and fret board knowledge is pretty on point, but I feel that my right hand is what's lacking. I'll slap and maybe accidentally hit the B string when I'm slapping the E and get angry and just put it down and go watch videos on youtube of people playing who are way better than I am. I guess my question is for anyone who believes that they have truthfully surpassed the intermediate playing level, and what they did to get to that point. I'm pretty sure the answer is just practice more...
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If this is your biggest problem, you are likely already advanced. Advanced to me is - you know a lot of songs (more than one genre), you can read music, and your ear is good enough to lock in with any band and/or vocalist. At that level, you won't be limited to the kinds of gigs you can take. Other musicians will want to play with you. Beyond that, you are looking to be a solo artist IMO.

To break through that proverbial plateau, frequently try to play/sit in with as many intermediate to advanced musicians as you can if that's an option. This will stretch you as a musician. You will get better as you will have to adapt to different playing styles, venues and practice locations. Also, try alternating practicing in a mirror (to correct bad habits) and then in a dark place with little to no lighting.
 
#70
Theozzycometh said:
Does anybody really feel satisfied with their daily practice routine? I know that we all hit plateaus, and I try to compare musical plateaus to working out. You'll stay on the same lifting routine for some time and make great measurable progress, then eventually hit a wall and switch some variable of your routine to break that plateau. But when it comes to bass playing I feel that I have hit a wall so hard that I can't even look at my bass without getting frustrated with myself. I have attempted to tab out a whole practice routine in text documents on my computer, like doing arpeggios in 3rds, 4ths, 5ths etc all the way up the neck of a given key. My theory and fret board knowledge is pretty on point, but I feel that my right hand is what's lacking. I'll slap and maybe accidentally hit the B string when I'm slapping the E and get angry and just put it down and go watch videos on youtube of people playing who are way better than I am. I guess my question is for anyone who believes that they have truthfully surpassed the intermediate playing level, and what they did to get to that point. I'm pretty sure the answer is just practice more... Maybe I need some kinda validation. Sorry if this text is jumbled I'm typing this after a fairly drunk jam :)
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Theozzycometh said:
Yeah but I'll watch a documentary on Jimi Hendrix or John Frusciante talking about practicing hours a day... I mean how? How do you keep entertained for that long EVERY day. Yeah some days i'm feeling it and will tear shi* up on the bass then sometimes days go by and i haven't even touched it
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I think you need to borrow a concept from your workout experience. Change that practice routine up radically. Besides fingerboard exercises, like running arpeggios and scales in 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths, and technique rehearsal like slapping, plectrum, fingerstyle, and tapping, add something like @two fingers mentioned: learn songs. Learn lots of different songs, even from genres that might not be your favorite. Then there is ear training (learning songs by ear and transcribing them is great ear training) like this: you have music and tabs of different exercises, sing them before you play them. Strive to develop "your mind's ear" so you can start to tell what something might sound like before you play it, and recognize what people are playing without having your bass in your hands.

Also, play with other people. Jams, bands, open mics, whatever it takes. This kind of playing develops a lot of musical strength.
 
#71
I know I practice a lot more than a lot of people, but it's never enough.

two fingers said:
I didn't read your whole post. But, no, I don't practice enough. I learn songs a lot. But I don't do a ton of finger exercises.
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Same here. I have mostly just rehearsed a set list and jammed new material for the past couple of years. I need to bust out of that rut.
 
#72
I practice as much as my life will allow. I don't think it's nearly enough, but I do what I can. In my early years of playing I would practice hours on end, but these days I'm lucky to get 20-30 mins a day. I do play with my band twice a week. Minimum.
 
#76
No!!!!!!!! Having said that my Bass is in my hands as often as possible. To get really good you have to play, and play a lot. It's almost like you have to live with your Axe in your hands. It has to be attached to you. When you see someone who is really good at playing, you have no idea of the amount of time they spend with their instruments in their hands.
 
#77
Theozzycometh said:
Yeah but I'll watch a documentary on Jimi Hendrix or John Frusciante talking about practicing hours a day... I mean how? How do you keep entertained for that long EVERY day. Yeah some days i'm feeling it and will tear shi* up on the bass then sometimes days go by and i haven't even touched it
Click to expand...

It's not about being entertained, it's about being prepared. You practice at home to develop and maintain technique and to learn material. It might be fun, or it might be work. You show up to rehearsal bearing the fruits of your practice. Practice, practice practice!

Most professional classical people put in hours a day on piano, trumpet, organ, etc. They are preparing for high paying gigs, where the competition is real world. I split my time between classical singing and contemporary bass playing. My bass practice is constantly being put on the back burner by other commitments, because it's not my highest priority.

Work ethic is everything. Develop one and stick with it.
 
#79
I don't practise enough....yet!

I took early retirement a couple of years ago and became the full time carer for my wife, who has multiple sclerosis. At the same time I have been planning, project managing and doing a LOT of hands on work, extending and completely remodelling, renovating and refurbishing our house, dragging it from the 1850s (when it was built) into a place that is suitable for progressive disability - while keeping it's Victorian charm and without making it look like a nursing home.

A lot of work and a lot of money (my hopes of being able to afford a Marleaux Diva at the end of the project are fading fast), but we're now in the final month, or so, of the finishing line...once it's done I will get at least 8 hours a day back, so instead of only having enough time to learn the tunes my band is bringing into rotation I will have a regular practise slot and a whole raft of Talkingbass.net and Scotts Bass Lessons material to work through. Scales, Arpeggios, Music Theory and Sight Reading here we come!
 
#80
Not as much i would like too or should be!
Life sometimes just interferes! :(

Now on another note regarding your frustrations maybe you need the complete apposite ! Take a break from all the hard practicing
don't try to practice to be perfection all the time ! after all nobody's perfect! So Take a break & when you come back to it approach your practice with a different angle..
enjoy it, have fun & it will come naturally to you . :)
gd luck! keep rocking!
 

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